To use real names, or not?

Against all odds, I too am writing a memoir-type book. It's mostly about my husband and I, and our attempt to fix up an old sailboat and go exploring. But-- other people make appearances in this book. I had decided to keep them anonymous, so used only initials, initially () But now it's getting to be sort of a mess, in some spots-- B did thusly, C responded, etc. Also, there are several B's, several L's etc. I can deal with the latter problem (give them different initials, for instance) but I'm wondering if I'm coming at this all wrong. Should I just use names? It reads so much better that way. And I'm not saying anything bad about anyone...

Since the point is to get the book published some day (I know, long shot), I think I'm really trying to avoid notifying all these people that they might make an appearance in it, or getting their permission in advance, or....?

SusanH, I once read a columnist who did not use the real names of friends, although what she wrote about was her day to day interactions with family and friends and even some of her belongings. She used other descriptors for her friends that still added personality, such as: Tulip Friend, Quilting Friend, Red Ratty Robe, Eldest Daughter and Youngest Daughter, and so on. Just an idea.

Thanks all. Lea, I love that idea. Gives useful info without getting in the way. I may do that later, when the several hours I spent yesterday giving everyone fictitious names and hitting Find and Replace have faded from memory...